US Assay Office, Seattle, 1905 (MOHAI 996)

The United States monetary system used to be on the gold standard. People used gold coins, as well as paper currency which was backed by gold. When gold started arriving in Seattle from the Klondike in 1898, the government opened an assay office to buy gold and to certify its purity. The building was located at 617-19 9th Avenue.
Handwritten on sleeve: U.S. Assay Office 1905.

Caption by MOHAI staff.
Subjects (LCTGM): Government facilities--Washington (State)--Seattle; Assaying--Washington (State)--Seattle; Gold rushes--Alaska